Nurturing Employable Work Force in Jharkhand

Department of Labour, Employment and Training has taken various initiatives for the employment and skill training of youth in Jharkhand, says Rakesh Kumar Singh, Special Secretary– Labour, Employment and Training, and Director- Employment and Training, Government of Jharkhand.

What is the role of Department of Labour, Employment and Training in protecting the rights of workforce in organised and unorganised sector of Jharkhand?

According to the minimum Wages Act, it is ensured that wages are paid acecording to the skill category of workforce. We also ensure that the salary of workers in factories and shops is credited into their bank account. For the workers in unorganised sector, we are getting them registered and opening their bank accounts linked with Aadhaar cards for the safe and timely credit of their wages. We are also running different social security schemes for the benefit of workers in organised and unorganised sectors.

How the skill training is helping the workforce in getting exposure to employment opportunities?

The skilled workers have more chances of getting employed over unskilled workers. We are working extensively on skill training of workforce like for the ITI pass out trainees; we ensure that different recruitment camps are held regularly for their employment in different companies, organisations, factories or industries. A number of such drives have been conducted and more are proposed to be organised. We have contributed to the vision of Jharkhand chief minister of awarding appointment letter to 25,000 youth. Since November 1, we have awarded appointment letters to a good number of ITI pass outs who are now employed in different companies.

What initiatives have been taken by the department to ensure employability among youth?

We act as a bridge between prospective trainees/employees and employers. So far, we have organised 43 employment exchange programmes. The portal jharkhandrojgar.nic. in has around 4 lakh registered youth under different categories such as nurses and as per different ITI trade. Whenever an employee registers on the portal in search of employees, we send SmS to all the trainees as per the eligibility criteria. The department then organises recruitment camps for selection of candidates as per their skills. For example, Apollo has recruited 21 nurses out of the trainees registered on our portal through a recently held employment exchange programme.

We have established Ranchi ITI as model ITI for which government of India has provided the financial grant. We are focussing on initiatives like centres of Excellence. At centres of Excellence, trainees get exposure of trades along with training of soft skills and computer operations. In current financial year, we are developing nine more ITIs as model ITIs

Soft skills are now an essential part of skill training, what is the role of Department of Labour, Employment and Training on that front?

We are inviting counselors in employment exchange programmes. We have also developed counselling centres to council the trainees. counselors help the trainees in improving their behaviour, language skills and if required suggest them to enroll in any short term training course for the same. We also refer candidates to JSDMS for soft skill training. In ITIs, seminars and talk shows are conducted for the candidates to improve their personality.

“During Momentum Jharkhand, different industries have participated in search of skilled manpower. We are trying to bring reputed employers across the nation. The summit will help the nation to know the immense potential Jharkhand has in the form of skilled workforce.”

What is the department’s road map for realising the chief minister’s vision of skilling 20 lakh youth of Jharkhand till 2022?

We have 59 Government ITIs and around 250 private ITIs which train around 30,000 candidates annually. by 2022, we have been given the target to train 2 lakh candidates out of 20 lakh which is achievable as per our current rate.

“Skill Summit 2018” is one of its kind conferences in India, what role will the conference play in bringing all the stakeholders on a common platform?

During momentum Jharkhand, different industries have participated in search of skilled manpower. We are trying to bring reputed employers across the nation. The summit will help the nation to know the immense potential Jharkhand has in the form of skilled workforce. It will boost the hiring of work force from the State as per the industry demand. The summit is expected to fulfill chief minster’s vision. It will take Jharkhand’s skill development programme to a new level and people will also get aware about the importance of skill.

What message would you like to give to the youth of Jharkhand?

According to prime minister of India, “skilling yourself is important” to take the advantage of Government’s various schemes, nowadays skills are also required along with degrees for students to be employable as practical training is equally important along with theoretical knowledge.

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